Local schools closed on Friday March 2nd will be
Berrow Primary, Brent Knoll School, Burnham on Sea Infants School,
Churchfield in Highbridge, East Brent Academy, East Huntspill, King
Alfred School in Highbridge, Mark First & Pre School Academy,
Pawlett Primary, St Andrews in Burnham, St Josephs, Kings of Wessex
Academy, Wedmore First School Academy and West Huntspill.

BBC
Points West weather forecaster Ian Fergusson says the Burnham-On-Sea
area could see snowfall accumulating to between 5cm-20+cm of snow,
as shown on the map.

He
says there are "varied uncertainties about the exact amount
of snow" and adds that freeezing rain could also be an added
danger, creating hazardous road and pavement conditions in the Burnham-On-Sea
and Highbridge area.

The
Met Office says temperatures won't rise above freezing all day across
the Burnham-On-Sea area, but the wind-chill will make it feel more
like -10C.

There
have been icy scenes on Burnham-On-Sea beach this week as a long
line of ice and slush has been left along the high tide line. The
bitterly cold temperatures sank in Burnham to -5C overnight and
the windchill is making it feel closer to -10C.

The
bad weather has led to several public events being postponed:

Saturday's Friends
of Burnham-On-Sea Beach Clean has been postponed due to the poor
weather.

The planned litter pick for the Great British Spring Clean was cancelled
on Friday at Apex Park. The rearranged date will be announced soon.

The Burnham-On-Sea Women's World Day of Prayer which was to be held
on Friday at the Catholic Church has been postponed until Friday
23rd March due to the severe weather.

Incredibly,
the meteorological start of spring was today - Thursday 1st March
- but flower displays like this one in Burnham-On-Sea are looking
decidedly wintry.

With
temperatures falling, Somerset County Council says it is making
sure it is ready to cope and keep disruption to a minimum.

Gritting
of main roads across the Burnham-On-Sea will take place, but side
roads may well be slippery.

Leader
of the council, Councillor David Fothergill, says: "Of course
we dont know how bad conditions will be but we are geared
up and well-prepared to make sure its business as usual
so far as possible."

"Id
like to thank in advance the staff who will be going the extra mile
to keep any disruption to a minimum. We have great working relationships
with our partners and providers and that is really important when
it comes to working together in difficult conditions."

Public
Health England said it is "critical" to keep an eye on
anyone over 65, young children or people with heart or lung conditions.

Pictured:
Icy conditions at Apex Park in Highbridge this week

Dr
Thomas Waite, of PHEs Extreme Events team, said: "With
more cold and for some snow on the way, now is the time to think
ahead. Consider what you need to stock up on, do you need food or
essential supplies such as medicines? It may be harder for some
people to get out later this week when more snow arrives, so if
you know someone at risk, someone with heart or lung conditions,
young children or who is over 65, please take the time to check
and see if theres anything they need."

"Also
remember that we are not all used to temperatures like this so keep
homes heated to at least 18 degrees. If youre able to clear
paths of snow or ice, do so. Everyone should keep up to date with
weather forecasts so youre not caught out. Staying well in
conditions like this can be a challenge, so if you can check on
someone whose health may be at risk, please do."

Pictured:
Icy scenes on Burnham-On-Sea beach this week

The
Met Office has warned that there could be delays and cancellations
to public transport. It has also cautioned that there could be interruptions
to power supplies and other utilities. The amber weather warning
covers Burnham-On-Sea, Highbridge, Brent Knoll, Brean and the Huntspills
in our area.

The
weather is due to become slightly milder from Sunday onwards, with
5-6C daytime temperatures for the Burnham-On-Sea area by Monday.